posted by hazmat
This election will be as always a fight for the middle ground.
In the wake of Obama's speech on race relations, many of the usual suspects have come out to condemn him. For breathing, for existing, for "throwing his grandmother under the bus", or for calling her "typical". We're shocked, SHOCKED!
Despite this predictable faux outrage, something incredible is happening. A handful of prominent conservatives are defending Obama.
Even more shocking still, the conservative public defense of Barack Obama appears to be more out of genuine admiration for an unconventional politician, rather than some petty vendetta against Hillary. In fact she hardly gets any mentions at all. A recurring theme is that he engages his political opponents as "adults".
Huh? Did I hear correctly?
To cite some examples, there's the Chris Wallace defense on Fox and Friends, the excellent Peggy Noonan (former Reagan speech writer) column, which you must read if you're a democrat. Well, if you're anybody. Frank Rich practically plagiarized her today. Also there's Steve Chapman's column at the Chicago Tribune.
But this endorsement is a must read. Has Hillary accomplished anything remotely like this? Anyone? (cricket noises).
Anecdotally, I have alot of republican family who say they will vote for Obama, or at minumum don't feel invested in the presidential race. One person admitted the decision was easy for him since the race won't be close in our state, but noted that he genuinely preferred Obama over McCain, and that the rest of the republican field were lightweights. He cited McCain's volatility as a liability, and Obama's experience as a constitutional lawyer and scholar as a HUGE positive. This guy is an evangelical christian.
Hillary is out of the question for these people...with the caveat that there are some who see her as weak and would like her to win the nomination on the off chance it would give McCain an inside track to the white house. I have only heard this on talk radio though. I believe it but I don't know anyone personally who is willing to switch their party registration.
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